Islam rejects all acts of terrorism

After the recent incidents of the Boston Marathon bombings, the Muslim youth from London, Ont. involved in terrorism abroad, and most recently, the foiled Via Rail train derailment plot, I feel compelled as a Canadian Muslim to speak out.

I wholeheartedly and unconditionally condemn terrorism of any form.

However, circulating media reports aiming to connect the motive of these crimes to an Islamic upbringing of the suspects is creating dangerous stereotypes in some minds.

For such folks, I’d like to tell you that Islam categorically rejects all acts of terrorism and teaches: “Whosoever killed a person … it shall be as if he had killed all mankind…” (Quran, 5:33). This one, powerful decree shatters all nonsense preached by radical Muslims.

Personally, as an Ahmadi Muslim, I’m indebted to Canada for allowing my family to emigrate over a decade ago from Pakistan, where people of my community face severe ongoing religious persecution.

For me, it’s frustrating how immigrants could want to attack the land that provides them sanctuary, freedom of conscience and daily sustenance. As Prophet Muhammad once said: “He who is not grateful to people, cannot be grateful to God.”